Air and other separator



Jan. 1940- G. FRASER 2,188,474

- AIR AND OTHER SEPARATORI Original Filed Aug. 13, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'i'OR Jan. 30, 1940. e. H. FRASER 2,183,474

AIR AND cram? SEPARATOR Original Filed Aug. 13, 1932 2 Shets-Sheet 2,

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T INVENTOR M%W' Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR AND OTHER SEPARATOB George Holt Fraser, Brooklyn, N. Y.

22 Claims.

This application is a re-file of my application :Serial No. 628,678 filed August 13, 1932.

This invention relates to separators or classifiers in which a fluid current is used to separate fine from coarse, or light from heavy material, and aims to improve such devices.

Types of such separators are shown in my patents- No. 1,542,050 granted June 16, 1925 on my application Serial No. 281,445 filed March 8, 1919;

No. 1,834,095 granted Dec. 1, 1931 on my application Serial No. 26,033 filed April 27, 1925;

No. 1,876,516 granted September 6, 1932 on my application Serial No. 737,411 filed Sept. 12, 1924;

No. 1,987,615 issued Jan. 15, 1935 on my application Serial No. 687,359 filed Jan. 19, 1924;

No. 1,992,942 issued March 5, 1935 on my application Serial No. 459,930 filed June 9, 1930;

No. 2,055,484 issued Sept. 29, 1936 on my application Serial No. 514,199 filed Feb. 7, 1931;

No. 2,055,485 issued Sept. 29, 1936 on my application Serial No. 714,961 filed March 10, 1934, and

No. 2,113,586 issued April 12, 1938 on my application Serial No. 606,407 filed April 20, 1932.

Other types of such separators are set forth in my applications Serial No. 584,140 filed Dec. 31, 1931;

Serial No. 628,678 filed Aug. 13, 1932;

Serial No. 628,679 filed Aug. 13, 1932;

Serial No. 1173 filed Jan. 10, 1935;

Serial No. 38,777 filed Aug. 31, 1935;

Serial No. 55,423 filed Dec. 20, 1935;

Serial No. 80,258 filed May 18, 1936, and

Serial No. 93,210 filed July 29, 1936.

This application includes and claims subject matter formerly included in my said application Serial No. 628,678, other subject matter of which was claimed in and is protected by claims in my said application Serial No. 606,407, now Patent No. 2,113,586, and other subject matter of which was claimed in and is protected by claims in my said application Serial No. 1,173, and other subject matter of which was claimed in and protected by claims in this application, all on or before the 8th day of May, 1937, on which day my said application Serial No. 628,678 per se, but not the inventions therein disclosed, was expressly abandoned by the Express declaration of abandonment filed therein May 8, 1937.

Such separators usually comprise an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet communicating with the settling chamber, and afiording an endless current passage up through, out over, down around,

and returning in under, the inner casing, through which passage the current is circulated in the form of a vortex ring by revolving fan blades between the casings, the material to be separated descending through a supply conduit and falling on to a rotary distributor within the separating chamber, the distributor and fan being rotated by a vertical shaft depended from the .drive mechanism above the outer casing.

' In one type of such separators the feed conduit has been a central non-rotary pipe within and encircled. by a dependent rotary shaft ,by which the distributor has been vertically 'adjustably suspended, and in another type the feed conduit has been an annular pipe without and around a vertically adjustable rotary dependent shaft by which the distributor has been vertically adjusted, such types being known as central conduit and as annular conduit separators respectively.

Vertical adjustment of therotary distributor in annular feed conduit separators has necessitated stopping of operation to permit such adjustment.

This invention relates especially ,to' annular feed conduit separators, and aims to provide in that type of separator for the vertical adjustment of its rotary distributor during operation, and to provide for vertically adjusting a rotary bafile or baflles, and a rotary valve or valves, in that type of separator during operation, and to provide for effecting one or any such adjustments from without the outer casing, and out of the path of descent of the material to be separated, and to improve the construction, arrangement and operation of annular feed conduit separators.

To this end in carrying out the preferred form of the present improvements I preferably provide below the distributor a drive connection between the fan and the vertically stationary dependent shaft which carries it from the fan bearing and revolves it and the other revoluble parts, and I preferably provide a vertically adjustable distributor above such connection and adjustably spaced below a non-rotary annular feed conduit, and a vertically adjustable 'suspender for suchdistributor, and an adjuster for such suspender, and a revoluble' connection between such distributor and said adjuster for revolubly sustaining said distributor, and preferably for radially sustaining the fan shaft below" and additionally to its bearing; and I preferably provide a vertically adjustable .baflle below the upper outlet and a vertically adjustable bafile suspender inwardly of the annular conduit, and a connection betweensuch bafilean d said suspender below the rotary distributor; and. an 55 adjuster for such bafile above the outer casing, and a revoluble connection between such baffle and said adjuster; and I preferably provide a rotary and vertically adjustable upper valve Within the fan blades, and a vertically adjustable suspender for said valve, and a connection between said suspender and said valve below said distributor, and an adjuster for said valve above said outer casing, and a revoluble connection between said valve and said adjuster; and I preferably provide a vertically adjustable rotary lower baflle below and operatively connected to said baffle and oppositely moved thereby; and I preferably provide a rotary lower valve below and operatively connected to said upper valve and moved similarly thereto; and I preferably provide various other features of improvement, all of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of an annular feed conduit air separator embodying the preferred form of my present improvements, the view being partly broken away and in vertical axial midsection, and

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof partly broken away and in horizontal section approximately 0n the lines 2--2 of Fig. l, and Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary horizontal sections showing details and out respectively approximately on the planes of the lines 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5.

Referring to the drawings A indicates the outer casing of an air separator, B its inner casing spaced inwardly thereof, C its supply conduit, D its distributor, E its drive, F its fan, G the inner separating chamber, H the outer settling chamher, I the lower return inlet from the settling chamber to the separating chamber, J the upper outlet, K a dust interceptor or current cleaner around the inlet I, L a dust chamber below the settling chamber, M its dust outlet, N a. coarse material receiver conveyor spaced below the current inlet and coarse material dropping opening I, O a coarse material outlet, P a lower baffle above the distributor D and dividing the separating chamber into a lower distribution chamber Q, and an upper selection chamber R, S an upper bafile serving as a top wall for the selection chamber R, and as a baffle beneath the oulet J, T an upper valve above the outlet J, U'a hub for the fan F, V a dependent shaft on which the fan is suspended and by which it is revolved, W a gear case in which the fan shaft V is mounted, X a bevel gear by which the fan shaft V is sustained and revolved, Y a bevel pinion in mesh with the gear X, and Z anantifrictional revoluble ball or roller bearing revolubly sustaining the fan shaft.

These parts may be of any suitable construction for distributing material to be separated in the distribution chamber Q and for causing a separating fluid current to flow in the form of a vortex ring up through this chamber and the settling chamber R, and past the baflie S, through the outlet J, under the valve T, and through the fan F, for separatingand floating fine material from the separating chamber G into the settling chamber H, and for returning such current through the dust interceptor K, to the lower inlet I, and for dropping unseparated material through the inlet I on to the conveyor N, and for discharging dust into the dust chamber L, according to any usual method of vortex ring air separation.

The outer casing A shown is constructed with separably connected segmental walls comprising a top wall a, cylindrical side walls I), and conical lower walls 0 on which the dust cone d is removably suspended, all supported by legs e and I beams f, on which the gear case W is mounted.

The inner casing B is shown as having a fiat annular top wall 9 around the outlet J, a wide cylindrical upper wall it around the selection chamber R, a tapering intermediate wall 2', a contracted cylindrical wall 7', and a contracted lower wall k: around the inlet 1, and as adjustably and vibratorily sustained from the casing A by slidable brackets l sustained by adjustable screws m and carrying yieldable springs n on which the inner casing B is resiliently mounted, and adjustable stop bolts o for arresting upward movement of such springs.

The distributor D usually consists of a ring or plate revolved by the fan shaft V and spaced below the conduit C for centrifugally distributing material descending through such conduit, and whether used with orwithout a baffle or valve the distributor has been vertically adjustable to vary the height of the distribution zone around it, to vary the fineness of separation.

, The baffle S revolves with the fan shaft V, and usually consists of a segmental ring of separably connected plates extended outwardly over the selection chamber and across the outlet J,

and having an outer periphery spaced from the wall it around which the current from the separating chamber may flow to reach the outlet J, and has been vertically adjustable to vary the volume of the selection chamber R, and to vary the space above the baflie S through which the current may flow from the separating chamber to the outlet J.

The dust interceptor K usually consists of rows of vertically extended baffles circumferentially spaced in staggered relation, around the inlet I and extended across the path of the returning current, for intercepting and conducting out of such path fine material floating in such current, and for precipitating such material in a fine cone 20 between the dust chamber L and the tailings conveyor N.

The fan hub U revolves with the fan shaft V, and usually consists of an annular spoke member around the conduit C and connected to the fan 0 shaft by being mounted on the distributor D when the latter is nonadjustable, but when the distributor is vertically adjustable the fan hub has been connected to its shaft by spokes extended from it across the conduit C, it being essential that the fan hub shall be vertically stationary, which precludes mounting it on a vertically adjustable distributor, and it being impor tant that the conduit C shall be non-rotary, as its revolution would tend to centrifugally hold in it the descending material. The fan hub usually consists of a Vertical cylindrical portion 1 around the cylindrical pipe q of the conduit C, a conical portion r3 around the conical hopper s of the conduit C, and a fiat annular top t from which the fan blades F are depended their entire height so as to afiord inwardly of their inner edges a chamber for the valve T.

The conduit C usually consists of a conical nonrotary hopper s mounted on the top wall a, and a non-rotary cylindrical wall q the lower end of which is spaced above the distributor D sutficiently to afford the minimum lateral outlet desired for the material to be separated when the distributor is in its uppermost position.

The fan shaft V is sustained in fixed vertical position by the upper bearing Z, and the fan is I fixedly connectecl'to this shaft for maintaining the fan vertically stationary and for revolving it.

According to one feature of my invention the vertically adjustable rotary parts are rotatably rate adjustment of any rotary part or parts which it is desired to adjust independently of the other parts, and differential or movement reversal connections are provided between one another of the relatively adjustable parts for relatively varying or reversing their direction of adjustment when two or more such parts are connected to one of the adjustable bearings.

This may be accomplished in any suitable way,

' but I prefer to accomplish it by the construction shown as the preferred adaptation of my invention, which will now be described in detail.

As shown in Fig. 1 I preferably provide a vertically slidable bearing member A for the distributor D, which distributor is slidably mounted around the shaft V and suspended-from the bearing A preferably by suspension members B connected to its hub C so that the distributor may be moved vertically with its bearing A when the latter is slid vertically along the shaft V. Preferably the bearing A comprises a male ball race a, connected by anti-frictional balls or rollers b,

with a female ball race 0 formed in or carried by a vertically adjustable carrier E, preferably tubular and non-rotatively and slidably fitted to and slidable vertically in and radially positioned by a cylindrical guideway F depended from the casing W, which carrier E is vertically sustained and adjusted by any suitable adjuster, preferably as a vertically oscillatoryadjuster D, shown as comprising levers 6 having pins ,f engaging notches g in the slide E" for sustaining it and resisting its rotation, which adjuster is preferably carried by the slideway F and oscillated by a screw G and a hand wheel or wing nut H without the outer casing for vertically adjusting the carrier E to vertically adjust the distributor D during revolution of the latter.

The slideway F is preferably a tubular member spaced within thev conduit C and serving as an inner wall therefor, and is shown as a separably attached extension of the gear case W for rigidly radially sustaining the bearing A from the gear case, and is extended below the conduit C into contact with the distributor D in its uppermost position, for afiording an extended inner wall for this conduit and for enclosing the hub C of the distributor, which hub fits in the space between the slideway E and the shaft V, to close this space against ingress of dust, and to afford a continuation inner wall for the conduit 0 as the distributor D is adjusted downwardly. The adjuster D is preferably below the gear case W and inwardly of and encircled by the hopper s The hub C of the distributor D revolves within the slideway F, and the bearing-A affords a radial bearing for the lower part of the shaft V, which bearing is spaced below and vertically adjustable relatively to the bearing Z and aids in resisting weave of the shaft V in any position of its adjustment.

According to another feature of improvement the upper baffle S is preferably rotativ'ely carried by a vertically adjustable slidable bearing I, which is preferably above the bearing Z and connected to the bafile S by a vertically slidable and preferably tubular suspender J slidably fitting in and extended through and below and above the fan shaft V. The bearing I comprises a rotary male bearing race h, revolubly connected by anti-frictional members or tapering rollers 12 with a non-rotary female bearing race 7" carried by a vertically adjustable carrier K slidably mountmoving and sustaining the latter and preventing its rotation, and for vertically adjusting the revoluble bearing I to vertically adjust the baffle S.

The inward bafiie P, when used, preferably moves vertically with vertical adjustment of the upper bafile S, and is preferably connected to and moved by the sliding bearing I in this construction so as to move it and the upper bafiie simultaneously, and preferably reversely to each other, preferably byreversing the levers u which are preferably fulcrumed to a bracket d extended from the cylindrical part p of the fan hub U, which levers are preferably connected at one side of their fulcrum by links 12' with the upper baille S and at the other side of their fulcrum with links w to the lower baffie P, for moving the latter from and reversely to the movement of the baflle S for simultaneously varying the volume of the distribution and selection chambers.

The valve T may be used with or without the baffle S, and should preferably be adjusted independently of the distributor D, whether or not the latter is vertically adjusted, but I prefer to use the valve T with the baffle S, for varying the space through which the current may flow from the outlet J to the fan blades, and according to another feature of my invention I preferably provide a revoluble and vertically adjustable antifrictional bearing L for the valve T, and a vertically slidable Suspender M depended from the bearing L and by which the valve T is carried.

The Suspender M is preferably slidably fitted within the baffle suspender J, and is preferably extended above and below it, and the bearing L is preferably spaced above the bearing I, and preferably comp-rises a rotary male race .23', revolubly connected 'by anti-frictional bearing members or tapering rollers with a non-rotary vertically adjustable female race a on or carried by a non-rotary adjustable carrier V, preferably slidably mounted within the carrier K. The carrier V may be vertically adjusted and sustained in any suitable manner, but preferably I provide for this a verticallyswingable adjuster 0, comprising oscillatory levers b2 carried by a shaft 02' oscillated by a lever (12, locked in one or another of the holes in a sector e2 for vertically adjusting and sustaining the valve and for preserving its adjustmentagainst molestation. The levers D2 are preferably connected to the carrier V by having pins 2 entering notches f2 in the carrier V for moving it and resisting its rotation and for vertically adjusting the valve T from without and above the outer casing and the gearcase and independently of the distributor and baflles, for varying the intake of the fan blades.

According to another feature of improvement my invention preferably provides a rotary lower valve T, within the inlet I, which lower valve is preferably carried by and vertically adjustable with the upper valve T, and preferably consists of an annular conical ring in the form of an inverted cone inwardly of and above and spaced from the wall It surrounding the inlet I, and vertical adjustment of which is effected from above and without the outer casing by vertically adjusting the bearing L.

According to another feature of improvement Ipreferably provide below the distributor D connections between the fan hub and its shaft and between the baffle S. and its suspender J, and between the valve T and its suspender M, to dis pose these connections below and out of the path of vertical descent of the material to be distributed. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, but preferably below the lowermost position of the adjustment of the distributor D I provide a fan impeller sustainer U comprising radially extended spokes g2 fixed to the shaft V and vertically extended spokes 72 2 fixed to the spokes g2 and extended upwardly through the distributor and fixed to the cylindrical lower part of the fan hub U above the lower end of the conduit C, for rotating the distributor D and the fan F, and for sustaining the latter, on which vertical spokes the distributor D when adjustable is vertically slidable, for rotating and rigidly sustaining and rotating the fan from the fan shaft V below and around the vertical path oi material falling on to the distributor D, and spaced below the distributor D I preferably provide a vertically movable sustainer impeller connection W between the bafiie suspender J and the baffle S, preferably comprising radial spokes i2 fixed to the suspender J and vertically slidable spokes 7'2 fixed to the spokes i2 and extended upwardly slidably through the distributor and fixed to and carrying the bafile S for vertically adjusting this baffle with vertical adjustment of the suspender J, and for causing the baflle to rotate with the distributor D, and I preferably provide spaced below the baffle a vertically movable impeller connection X between the valves I and T and the suspender M, and preferably comprising radially extended spokes k2 fixed to the suspender M carrying vertically slidable spokes Z2 extended slidably through the distributor D and connected to the upper valve T and when used to the lower valve T, for vertically sustaining and adjusting either or both such valves, and for rotatively impelling the distributor and such valves and the baffle S when used with them.

Preferably the vertical spoke members R2, 92 and Z2 are adjacent and each passes through an aperture m2 in the distributor D, and all are enclosed by a tubular bracket n2 thereon to protect themagainst the material being laterally distributed by the distributor, three or more sets of such vertical spokes and such brackets being preferably employed, and the brackets being long enough to cover the vertical adjustments of the distributor, and the apertures being suflicient to permit the distributor to slide vertically of the spokes when it is vertically adjustable. Preferably the conduit extension ring Y rotatively mounted around the conduit C and within the fan hub U is carried by the distributor D, as by being fixed to tween the conduit and the fan hub.

According to another feature of improvement I preferably provide an annular partition within the inlet I and between it and the space within the conveyor N, for resisting inflow of the returning current into this space, which partition is preferably carried by and revolved with the fan shaft V, and slidably embraced by the lower valve T.

According to another feature of improvement I preferably provide a downwardly and outwardly inclined rotary valve or seal P below the downwardly and outwardly inclined bottom ends of the baffles of the filter K, for resisting inflow of air under or up between such baffles and for centrifugally discharging into the cone w dust precipitated therefrom, which seal is preferably carried from and revolved with the partition S as by being connected therewith by scrapers R.

According to another feature of improvement I preferably provide around the filter K and inwardly of the settling chamber H a wall o, for

retaining a bank of currentless air in this chamber for deflecting the dust laden air descending from the fan and causing it to curve toward the filter, so that particles floating in it may be projected into this bank of currentless air to prevent such particles from reaching the filter K, and I preferably provide a vertically adjustable wall u around the casing B and having a lower edge adjacent the upper edge of the wall 11 and a vertically adjustable jet wall a: spaced around the wall u and vertically adjustable with it to contract the descending current between such walls and jet such current toward the settling chamber, and to vertically vary the point of discharge of such current relatively to such chamber, for jetting such current toward the intermediate portion of the settling chamber for projecting fines into such chamber as the current curves under the wall 11. to reach the filter K.

Preferably the jet walls u and :c are connected by a bracket 2 which serves as a whirl check to resist circulation of the downward current between them, and these walls are preferably adjusted together as by a screw y. The wall a: is preferably downwardly and outwardly inclined opposite the ends of the fan blades to downwardly deflect the dust laden current, and preferably serves as a removable liner wall for protecting the outer wall I) from wear.

Preferably my invention provides for vertically jarring the separating chamber G to facilitate flow of material from it, preferably by extending vertical anvils q from it through the top wall a and impactively striking them by rotary and swinging hammers r revolved and swung by a speed reducer worm gear 5' slowly revolved by a worm t on the drive shaft for intermittently and at low frequency impactively vibrating the separating chamber.

For convenient renewal and replacement any desired part may be of any usual construction of separably connected separately removable sections.

Sizes, shapes, relations, and relative proporbe vertically adjusted by vertically sliding the bearing A.

The upper bafile S will revolve with the shaft V and be vertically adjusted by vertically sliding the bearing 1', and when used the lower baffle P will revolve with the upper baffle and be vertically adjusted therefrom reversely thereto.

The upper valve T, and when used the lower valve T, will revolve with the shaft V and be vertically adjusted with the bearing L.

The distributor D will slide on one or all of the posts 712, 7'2, and Z2 and will be revolved by these.

The partition S and filter seal P will revolve with the shaft V and be sustained in fixed vertical relation to its bearing Z.

Revolution of the fan blades F will cause a separating current to circulate up through and around the inner casing B, and revolution of the distributor D will centrifugally distribute material to be separated in this current below the lower bafile P, inwardly under which the current will float fine material into the selection chamber R through which it will flow outwardly around the baffle S. Fineness will be varied by varying the volume of the chamber R or the height of the bafile S, or of the valve or valves T and T, which latter will be vertically adjusted to vary the current as desired.

The selection chamber H will accumulate a bank of currentless air toward the intermediate portion to which the outblown dust will-be jetted between the walls u and :0, so that descending particles may enter this air bank as the current is deflected inwardly above the air bank toward the filter K, which will intercept remaining particles floating in the returning current.

The various separating elements will be relatively adjusted during operation to give the desired results without necessarily varying the speed of drive of the separator.

It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can be readily and advantageously availed of, in whole or in part, and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular details of construction, arrangement, or combination, or parts, set forth as constituting its preferred form, since it may be employed in whole or in part according to such construction, combinations, or arrangement of features, as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art, may dictate, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the carriers E, K and V may be vertically adjusted by any vertically adjustable screw threaded connection between any one and the part as to which it is vertically adjustable, cr any of the guideways may be internally screw threaded and the carriers may be screw threaded to screw vertically in them, or the carriers may be provided with toothed racks, and the adjusters may be toothed wheels or sectors gearing with such racks for vertically adjusting and sustaining the carriers and the parts they adjust.

Although for the purpose of illustrating the,

applicability of my improvements claimed herein Ihave shown a rotary and vertically adjustable inverted conical valve above the upper outlet, this is not specifically claimed herein being claimed in my companion applications Serial Nos. 1,173 filed Jan. 10, 1935 and 80,258 filed May 18, 1936.

Although for the purpose of illustrating the applicability of my present improvements claimed herein I have shown a rotary tubular partition spaced inwardly of and extended through the lower inlet to the separating chamber, this is not specifically claimed herein, being claimed in my companion application Serial No. 80,258 filed May 18, 1936.

What I claim is:

1. An air separator for grading materials, comprising, in combination, an outer casing enclos-- ing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upper outlet in communica-' tion with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades for causing air to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into said settling chamber, a supply conduit forsupplying material to be separated in said sep,

arating chamber, a rotary distributor in said separating chamber and below said conduit, for distributing said material in such current, circumferentially spaced hollow baffles around said inlet and across said passage for intercepting and conducting below the path of such current fine material floating in such current, having downwardly and outwardly inclined lower ends for discharging such intercepted material, and a rotary downwardly and outwardly inclined closure ring below and adjacent and extended downwardly and outwardly across said inclined lower ends for closing said ends and rotatable for rotatably discharging intercepted material therefrom.

2. A current separator for grading materials, comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet, for caus-' ing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, and a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in. said current, and blade suspension means mounted above the zone of said interception and depended inwardly of and past and below said downward supply concentrically of and extended down through. said distributor, in operative relation to said blades, for suspending the latter from above said zone; the combination therewith of blade carrier means, without and around said conduit, above said distributor and extended downwardly through it to a spaced vertical distance below said zone, in operative relation to said blades above said distributor, for carrying said blades thereabove, in operative relation to said suspension means below said distributor and said vertical distance below said zone, and adapted to carry said blades from said suspension means from below said distributor and from said distance below said zone.

3. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit Within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and rotary blade suspension means mounted above the zone of said interception and depended inwardly of and pastsaid downward supply and extended through and below said distributor a spaced distance below said zone; the combination therewith of a rotatable blade driver in, operative relation to and rotated by said suspension means, spaced a distance below and covered by said distributor, and in operative relation to, and connected through said distributor with, said blades, for rotating the latter.

4. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material intothe latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for varying such distribution, for varying said separation, and blade suspension means mounted above and extended downwardly inwardly of said downward supply and past the zone of said interception, and through and below said distributor a vertical distance equal to the vertical adjustment of said distributor; the combination therewith of blade carrier means around said conduit, in operative relation to said blades above said distributor, extended downwardly through the latter said vertical dis-tance below it and below said zone, and in operative relation to and carried by said suspension means below said distributor and said vertical distance below the latter and said zone.

5. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said, settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and rotary biade suspension means mounted above and extended downwardly inwardly of said downward supply, past the zone of said interception, through said distributor and below the latter and said zone a distance equal to the vertical adjustment of said distributor; the combination therewith of blade driver means around said conduit, in operative relation to said blades above said distributor, extended downwardly through the latter to said vertical distance below it and said zone, and in operative relation to and carried by said suspension means below said distributor and said vertical distance below the latter and said zone.

6. A current separator for grading materials comprising, in combination, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber for separating and floating fine material into the latter circumferentially spaced vertically extended rotary spoke means by which said blades are carried, for revolving said blades, rotary shaft means by which said spoke means are carried, for revolving the latter, bearing means on which said shaft means are revolubly mounted, for revolubly sustaining said shaft means, an annular supply conduit intermediate said spoke means and said shaft means, encircled by said spoke means and around said shaft means, for supplying material to be separated in said separating chamber, a vertically apertured vertically adjustable rotary distributor in said separating chamber, and around and extended outwardly between a vertically intermediate portion of said spoke means, one below said conduit, for receiving and delivering said material between said spoke means, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying said distribution, for varying said separation, and vertically apertured, for vertically adjustably and drivingly embracing said spoke means, for rotating the latter, a vertically adjustable suspender for said distributor, inwardly of said conduit end by which said distributor is suspended, for adjustably suspending said distributor relatively to and from inwardly of said conduit, and vertically adjustable for vertically adjusting said distributor relatively to said spoke means, vertically spaced below said distributor and below the zone of said supply, and as to which said distributor is vertically adjustable, and adapted to drive said spoke means from said shaft means from said distance below said distributor and said zone.

7. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet, for causing a fluid current to'flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, rotary means for revolving said blades, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, and a vertically adjustable rotary distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply and for outwardly distributing such material in said current; the

combination therewith of vertically stationary rotary drive means for rotating said rotary parts, to which said distributor is vertically slidably drivingly connected under and spaced below the zone of said interception and below said distributor a vertical distance equal to said vertical adjustment of the latter, in vertically slidable operative engagement with said distributor and adapted to rotate said distributor from said spaced distance below it and to permit vertically slidable adjustment of said distributor relatively to said drive means within said spaced distance.

8. A current separator for gradingmaterials comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward annular supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable rotary distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of said interception and distribution, for varying said separation, means for vertically adjusting said distributor, and a vertically depended rotary drive shaft within and concentric of said conduit, mounted above and depended inwardly of said downward supply to and in operative relation with said distributor, for rotating the latter from inwardly of said downward supply; the combination therewith of a vertically adjustable rotary carrier for said distributor, around and rotatable with said shaft and inwardly of said downward supply, vertically adjustable relatively to said shaft, extended downwardly inwardly of said downward supply to and in operative relation with said distributor, vertically adjustable with the latter, and adapted to carry it from around said shaft and from inwardly of said downward supply, and adapted during said adjustment to protect said shaft from molestation by said supply.

9. A current separator for grading materials, comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means for causing a fluid current to flow up through said chamber for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward annular supply conduit within said chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable rotary distributor in said chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said cur-- rent, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of said interception and distribution, for varying said separation, and a rotatable drive shaft inwardly of and depended concentrically of and encircled by said downward conduit, mounted above and depended below said zone, in operative relation to said distributor, for rotating the latter; the combination therewith of distributor adjustment means around said drive shaft and inwardly of said downward conduit, vertically movable relatively to said shaft and extended downwardly inwardly of said supply conduit and in operative relation with said distributor, vertically movable with the latter and adapted to vertically adjust it around said drive shaft and from within. said conduit and from inwardly of said downward supply, without molestation of the latter.

10.'A current separator for grading materials comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber, having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said chamber, for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward supply conduit within said chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically slidable rotary distributor in said chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting saiddownward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically slidable for vertically varying the zone of said interception and distribution, for varying said separation, and distributor adjustment means in operative relation to said distributor, for vertically sliding it; the combination therewith of rotary drive means in operative relation to said distributor for rotating the latter, disposed therebelow a distance equal to the vertical slidability thereof, and vertically slidably connected to said distributor.

11. A current separator for grading materials comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means for causing a fluid current to flow up through said chamber, for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward supply conduit in said chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, and a vertically slidable rotary distributor in said chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for downwardly intercepting and outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically slidable for vertically varying the zone of said interception and distribution, for varying said sepa ration; the combination therewith of circumferentially spaced rotary drive means in operative relation to said distributor, for rotating the latter, vertically extended below said zone and said distributor a distance equal to the vertical slidability of thelatter, and in vertically slidable engagement with said distributor a vertical distance equal to said slidability thereof.

12. A current separator for grading materials, comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said chamber, for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward supply conduit within said chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable distributor in said chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying said interception and distribution, for varying said separation, and an upper baffle wall within said chamber, below and adjacent said outlet and spaced above said distributor and zone of said interception, for defining the space adjacent said outlet through which said current may flow from said chamber; the'combination therewith of a carrier for said upper baffle wall, within said separating chamber below said distributor and spaced below the latter and said zone a distance equal to the vertical adjustment of said distributor, adapted to permit said adjustment of the bafile wall from said distance below said zone and said distributor throughout said adjustment of the letter.

13. A current separator for grading materials comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said chamber, for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward 1 chamber, spaced above said distributor and said zone and below and adjacent said outlet, for roatably defining the space above said zone through which said current may flow from said chamber; the combination therewith of rotary drive means for rotating said upper baiiie'wall, within said chamber, below said distributor and spaced below the latter and said zone a distance equal to the vertical adjustment of said distributor, adapted to permit said adjustment of the latter above said drive means, in operative relation to said upper bafile wall above said distributor and said zone, extended vertically past the latter, and adapted to rotate said upper baiiie wall from said distance below said zone and said distributor throughout said adjustment of the latter.

14. A current separator for grading materials comprising, a casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up throughsaid chamber, for separating and floating fine material therefrom, a downward supply conduit within said chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and a vertically adjustable upper baffle wall in said chamber, above said distributor and the zone of said distribution and spaced below and adjacent said outlet, for defining the space above said zone and adjacent said outlet through which said current may flow from said chamber, and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of vertically movable adjustment means within said chamber for adjusting said bafile, below said zone and said distributor, and spaced a vertical distance below the latter equal to the vertical adjustment of said upper bafile wall, in operative relation to the latter above said distributor and said zone, extended downwardly past the latter to said distance below said zone, upwardly and downwardly movable therebelow throughout said distance, and adapted to vertically adjust said baflle throughout said distance from below said zone without molestation of said distributed material.

15. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of said distribution, valve means around said conduit and above said outlet, for defining the space through which said current may flow, and valve suspension means mounted above said zone and depended inwardly of and past and below said downward supply, and extended down through and below said distributor a vertical distance equal to said adjustability thereof, for suspending said valve from above said zone; the combination therewith of valve carrier means, without and around said conduit, in operative relation to said valve above said distributor, extended downwardly past the latter to said spaced distance below it and said zone, in operative relation to said suspension means said distance below said distributor and said zone, and adapted to carry said valve from said distance below said distributor throughout said adjustment of the latter.

16. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, blower means for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber, and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a vertically adjustable distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for varying the zone of said distribution, for varying said separation, a rotary valve around said conduit and above said distributor and adjacent said outlet, for rotatably defining the space through which said current may flow through said outlet; the combination therewith of a rotary valve driver within said separating chamber, in operative relation to said valve above said distributor and said zone and extended downwardly past the latter to a vertical distance below said zone and said distributor equal to the vertical adjustability of the latter, and adapted to rotate said valve from said distance below said. zone and said distributor throughout said adjustability of the latter.

17. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, blower means, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and a vertically adjustable valve around said conduit, above said distributor and the zone of said distribution, and adjacent said outlet, for defining the space through which said ourrent may flow therethrough; and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for varyingsaid current and separation; the combination therewith of a vertically movablevalve adjuster, in operative relation to said valve above said distributor and saidzone, extended downwardly past the latter to a vertical distance below said distributor and zone equal to the vertical adjustability of said valve, verticallymovable below-saiddistributor and said zone said distance, and adapted to vertically adjustsaid valve throughout said distance from below said distributor and zone. a

18. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary-fan blades above said outlet, for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and fioating fine material into said settling chamber, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, a vertically stationary rotary blade carrier mounted within said separating chamber below the zone of said distribution, extended vertically past the latter and in operative relation to said blades thereabove. for carrying and rotating said blades from below said zone, and a vertically adjustable valve around said conduit, encircled by said blades, and above said outlet, for defining the space through which said current may flow from the latter, and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for varying said current and separation; the combination therewith of a valve adjuster within said separating chamber, in operative relation to said valve above said zone, extended downwardly past said zone and below said blade carrier to a vertical distance below the latter equal to the vertical adjustmentpf said valve, vertically movable below said carrier throughout said vertical distance, and adapted to vertically adjust said valve from below said carrier throughout said distance.

19. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber, for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, a vertically stationary rotary blade carrier mounted within said separating chamber below the zone of said distribution and in operative relation to said blades above said zone, for carrying and rotating said blades above said zone from below the latter, and a vertically adjustable upper baflie within said separating chamber, above said distributor and said zone and below and adjacent said outlet, for definin the space through which said current may flow past said ba'file,'- =and vertically adjustable forvarying saidspace-, for varying said currentand separation; the combination therewith of a vertically movable baffle carrier within said separat ing'chamber, inoperative relation to said upper baffle above said distributor and said zone,.ex-

tended downwardly-past the latter to a vertical distance below said blade carrier equal to the comprising, arrouter casing enclosing a settling 1 chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber h'avinga lower inlet and an upper outlet incommunication with said settling chamber, rotary: fan blades above said outlet, for causing a' fiuid current to flow ,up through said separatingchamber :1 and return through said settling chamber, for separating and-i'ioating'fine mate-, rial into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating'chamber, for downwardly supp-lying material to be separated therein, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, a vertically adjustable valve around said conduit and encircled by said blades, adjacent said outlet, for defining the space through which said current may flow therethrough, and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for varying said current and separation; the combination therewith of substantially U-shaped adjuster means for adjusting said valve, comprising a portion inwardly of said conduit extended downwardly past and below the zone of said interception, an outwardly extended portion below said conduit and spaced a vertical distance below said zone equal to the vertical adjustability of said valve, and an upwardly extended portion outwardly of said conduit and extended upwardly from said outwardly extended portion to and in operative relation with said valve, said portions vertically movable throughout said distance and thereby adapted to vertically adjust said valve from inwardly of said downward supply and from said distance below said zone.

21. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades around said outlet for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a supply conduit within said separating chamber, for supplying material to be separated thereto, a distributor in said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for distributing said material in said separating chamber, and a rotary and vertically adjustable valve within said inlet, for defining the space therein through which said current may flow, and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of rotary and vertically adjustable adjustment means for said lower valve, above the latter and spaced below said distributor and below the zone of said distribution a vertical distance equal to the vertical adjustability of said valve, vertically movable throughout said distance, and thereby adapted to vertically adjust said valve from said vertical distance below said distributor and said zone.

22. A current separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said settling chamber, rotary fan blades above said outlet for causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and return through said settling chamber, for separating and floating fine material into the latter, a downward supply conduit within said separating chamber for downwardly supplying material to be separated therein, a rotary distributor within said separating chamber, opposite and below said conduit, for intercepting said downward supply, and for outwardly distributing said material in said current, and vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of said distribution, for varying said separation, and a vertically adjustable baflie within said separating chamber, below said outlet and above the zone of said interception and distribution, in the path of said current, for defining said path, and vertically adjustable relatively to said distributor for vertically varying said path, for varying said current and separation; the combination therewith of substantially U-shaped bafiie adjuster means within said separating chamber, movable relatively to said distributor and in operative relation to said baflie, for adjusting the latter relatively to said distributor, comprising a downwardly extended portion inwardly of and downwardly extended past said downward conduit and a vertical distance below said zone and said distributor equal to the vertical adjustment of said bafiie relatively to the latter, and an outwardly extended portion said distance below said distributor and said zone and extended outwardly said distance thereunder, and an upwardly extended portion around said conduit and upwardly extended from said outwardly extended portion past said distributor and said zone to and in operative relation with said baffle above said distributor and said zone, said portions vertically movable throughout said distance, and adapted to vertically adjust said bafile from inwardly of and from said distance below said distributor and said zone and up through the latter during said movement.

GEORGE HOLT FRASER. 

